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Have been having fuel smell for a while. Started the usual checks and have replaced the hose that runs over and across the top.( which did have 2 splits around the bends )

Checked all other hoses related to the fuel line including the ones that to the the canister.

Roll over valve removed as found to be very rusty so will replace that at a later stage when part arrives.

Now with all the hoses working correctly it seems that a higher pressure it must create and hence now there is a drip directly under the RH fuel tank (one with the fuel pump).

Looked under car earlier and it looks rusty where I think it is the drain nut.

So is it possible to remove the tank without taking the engine out as at this point I do not want to do a major overhaul on the engine parts. Just want to fix this tank for now as I have plans to do a major engine job at a later date.

The RH tank is easier than the left to remove, with the engine "in situ". Operative word is EASIER...you should remove the intake manifold. And it still requires a lot of grunting and groaning...

Have you removed the undertray under the front of the engine? This exposes a fist-size hole in the bodywork with which you can verify if the tank is leaking. (There is a pad under the tank, made of carpet jute, that will be SOAKED if the tank is indeed leaking)

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If you check my engine removal thread, you may find one or two photos that might be of some use to you. Whatever, even with the engine out, I found it to be tedious job, and there's a lot of things which need removing to get them out. Good luck!

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The job is easier if you are going to replace the tank, as opposed to repairing it, because you can cut off the pipe that goes through the body to the lower crossover tube. Makes a huge difference in the struggle to get it out.

You're not really supposed to use it for petrol, but it worked a treat. Remember it's unlikely you will remove all the fuel and as the balance pipe is the lowest point, so be prepared to get wet with about a pint when you take them off. Put your cigarette out first!

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All I can say is that my tanks didn't have any drain plugs, and my 1993 onwards Lotus parts manual don't show any, either. That's not to say that earlier cars didn't have them, though. Even if drain plugs were fitted, the balance pipe still remains full of fuel, as I found out to my cost!

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The drain plug on GM fuel injected cars is a bolt and washer in the right hand tank, at the bottom of the round sump into which the fuel pump is fitted. The picture posted by Ian does not resemble any SE/S4/S4s tank I've ever seen.

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My RH tank was a replacement, fitted not long before I bought the car. As I said, it was a Lotus part, so must have been whatever they were supplying at the time. Perhaps in that case it was a V8 tank, although I have no idea why the design was changed, possibly it was cheaper to make! Whatever, even if there is a drain plug fitted, the balance pipe will still be full of fuel.

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Just to update on the tank job. All is done and fitted back and now no more smell at all. I did not take pictures as this is shown by other members in their respective posts.

I had the tank refurbished and it comes with lifetime warranty and according to the guy he said you could sit the tank in water and it will not rust with the coating they use to protect the metal.

We will see if this is true in time but for now no more Lotus perfume as some people here call it.

Now the overhead pipe was also replaced as it had cracked in 2 places. Since this has been done I noticed the car drives a lot smoother than ever before, maybe it holds the vaccum better and fuel must feed better to the injec